The Hungarian Revolution took place in 1956. It was an uprising against Soviet domination of Hungary. It took place shortly after Stalin had been denounced by Khruschev and an apparent change in Soviet views. The initial ‘revolution’ took the form of mass popular protests. Popular protest turned to rioting and Hungarian politicians called for Soviet withdrawal and mooted reforms. The Soviet Union responded to the ongoing and deepening crisis by sending in the Red Army. This force, backed by approaching 1000 tanks, asserted Soviet domination and brought about a ruthless end to the uprising.<\/p>\n
When Nagy was reinstalled as Prime Minister in 1956 he was faced with a country in turmoil. His appointment though was one which demonstrated that the government was aware of the wishes of the people: though not those of all of the people. Nagy constructed a government that included members of non communist parties, ending the one party state in Hungary. He also authorised the immediate release of many political prisoners. Nagy asked Khrushchev<\/a> to withdraw Soviet troops from Hungary, which Khrushchev agreed to. Nagy’s goal here was to create a multi-party state which was independent. This in itself was not of a major concern to the Soviet Union, otherwise they would not have withdrawn their troops or permitted his new government to be formed. Nagy then announced that Hungary was going to withdraw from the Warsaw Pact and become a Neutral, social democracy. This attempt at leaving the Warsaw Pact and the fight to attempt it is known as the Hungarian Revolution.<\/p>\n “Soviet tanks rolled in and started to shoot at every centre of resistance which had defied them during our first battle for freedom.<\/p>\n This time, the Russians shot the buildings to smithereens. Freedom fighters were trapped in the various barracks, public buildings and blocks of flats. The Russians were going to kill them off to the last man. And they knew it. They fought on till death claimed them.<\/p>\n The Russians bombarded to rubble every house from which a single shot was fired. The fighting groups realized that further battles would mean the annihilation of the capital. So they stopped fighting.” Hungarian journalist, George Paloczi-Horvath.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n To have an independent nation with a semi democratic system within the sphere of Soviet Influence was one thing. For it to state neutrality and severe its ties with Moscow was an entirely different matter. The Soviets could not countenance this, nor could they be seen to allow it to happen. The response was swift. Troops re-entered Hungary and began fighting their way back towards Budapest. When faced with resistance they responded with sheer brute force. The quotation above illustrates the manner in which Soviet forces reasserted their control. Once the Soviets had established control<\/a> they imposed their own choice of leader and reestablished a soviet military presence.<\/p>\n A Socialist republic with elections including members of other socialist groups was broadly in line with the destalinisation<\/a> of Eastern Europe. When it became clear that Nagy wanted a fully democratic system and independence this posed a serious threat to the Soviet Union. If Hungary was able to do this, would other Eastern European nations attempt the same thing? A firm message needed to be given to the whole of the Eastern Bloc that they remained under Soviet influence. The Soviets also viewed this as a possible expansion of West Europe which would eradicate the sought after buffer zone of satellite states<\/a> between the USSR and the Western Powers.<\/p>\n When it became clear that Soviet forces were going to gain control of Budapest, Nagy and several members of his cabinet sought refuge in the Yugoslav Embassy. The new leader of Hungary, Janos Kadar, promised Nagy that he and his followers could have safe passage out of the embassy and into exile. When the group left, Soviet agents kidnapped them. In July, 1958, the Hungarian Government announced that a number of people who led and orchestrated the 1956 Revolution had been tried and executed. Nagy was amongst those who were executed.<\/p>\n Following the suppression of the Revolution the government of Hungary was essentially a “puppet” government. It reflected the will of Moscow. Soviet forces remained in Hungary until after the fall of the Soviet Union<\/a>. Opposition was dealt with in a Soviet style, through use of a secret police and imprisonment of dissenters. The reforms that may have been able to remain had Nagy not withdrawn from the Warsaw Pact were quickly repealed.<\/p>\nSoviet reaction to the Hungarian Uprisings<\/h3>\n
Why did the Soviet Union act in this way?<\/h3>\n
The death of Nagy<\/h3>\n
The re-establishment of Soviet control in Hungary<\/h3>\n
International reaction to the Hungarian Revolution<\/h3>\n